Device for connecting a beam to pillars or similar supporting structural elements for erecting buildings

ABSTRACT

A device for connecting a beam to pillars or similar supporting structural elements in order to erect buildings, particularly multistory buildings, by means of prefabricated concrete components, the device comprising first means for connecting two end regions of the beam to the pillars and second means for connecting the beam to the pillars, the first connection means provide a coupling at least of the hinge type between each one of the two end regions of the beam and the corresponding pillar; the second connection means comprise at least one tension element that passes through the beam and is connected to the pillars by means of the ends thereof that protrude from the beam.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for connecting a beamto pillars or similar supporting structural elements for erectingbuildings, particularly multistory buildings, by means of prefabricatedconcrete components.

[0002] As is known, the building method that uses prefabricated concretecomponents has, in recent years, become increasingly widespread mainlythanks to its reduced execution times compared to the traditional methodof on-site building.

[0003] However, in some particular sectors, the prefabrication techniquehas not yet been able to expand fully.

[0004] One of these sectors is constituted by the erection of buildingsused for office or residential purposes, particularly if they are of themultistory type.

[0005] Prefabricated concrete components are in fact currently scarcelyapplied in this field, because prefabricated beams, in order towithstand the loads to which they are subjected by using a coupling tothe pillar that consists of simple resting thereon at their ends, havean excessive vertical space occupation.

[0006] On-site building operations are able to minimize the height ofthe beams thanks to the fact that with this construction method there isan uninterrupted continuity between the pillar and the beam.

[0007] Prefabrication instead entails, for the various parts thatcompose the building, a momentary discontinuity, which is eliminatedonly with final assembly. However, this fact entails that prefabricatedbeams, as mentioned, must be inevitably higher than beams built on-site.

[0008] The prefabrication method has tried to obviate these drawbacks byresorting to pre-stressing, which consists in loading the beam bycompressing it beforehand so as to bend it upward. However, thissolution is advantageous with considerable spans, i.e., distancesbetween the pillars, otherwise the resulting saving in beam height andtherefore the financial saving are insignificant.

[0009] However, it should be noted that the prefabrication method allowsan unequalled erection speed as well as industrial-type production andquality control; moreover, the prefabrication method allows to buildregardless of weather conditions, which instead can have a severe effecton on-site building, and makes the progress of work independent of thewaiting time for the concrete to cure, which greatly slows down theerection of multistory buildings with the traditional method of on-sitebuilding.

[0010] In view of the undeniable advantages offered by theprefabrication method, the need is felt to be able to extend itsapplication also to those fields which, for the reasons described above,have not yet been able to adopt this method.

[0011] U.S. Ser. No. 09/669,970 by the same Applicants discloses adevice for connecting a beam to pillars or similar supporting structuralelements for erecting buildings, particularly multistory buildings, bymeans of prefabricated concrete components that allows to reduce theheight of the beam, despite the beam being prefabricated, withoutnecessarily having to resort to prestressing of the beam.

[0012] Such device substantially comprises first means for connectingthe two end regions of the beam to the pillars and second means forconnecting two intermediate regions of the longitudinal extension of thebeam to the pillars. The first connection means are constituted byconnection means of the interlocking type, while the second connectionmeans comprise at least two inclined rigid tension elements, eachelement connecting an intermediate region of the longitudinal extensionof the beam and a region of the respective pillar that is located at ahigher vertical level than the region where the tension element iscoupled to the beam.

[0013] During its testing and use, the device has proved to besusceptible of improvements aimed mainly at achieving a more uniformdistribution of the stresses within the beam and at introducing a newstatic layout.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The aim of the present invention is to provide a device forconnecting a beam to pillars or similar supporting structural elementsfor erecting buildings, particularly multistory buildings, by means ofprefabricated concrete components, that allows to reduce the height ofthe beam although said beam is prefabricated, without necessarily havingto resort to pre-stressing of the beam, and also achieves the mostuniform possible distribution of the stresses to which the beam issubjected.

[0015] Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide adevice that does not generate additional space occupation for the beamand for the pillars.

[0016] Another object of the invention is to provide a device thatallows to use advantageously the prefabrication method in buildings,including multistory buildings, with beams that are significantlyshorter than the beams normally used in industrial buildings.

[0017] A further object of the invention is to provide a device thatprovides a beam-pillar connection that has excellent earthquakeresistance.

[0018] This aim and these and other objects that will become betterapparent hereinafter are achieved by a device for connecting a beam topillars or similar supporting structural elements in order to erectbuildings, particularly multistory buildings, by means of prefabricatedconcrete components, characterized in that it comprises first means forconnecting two end regions of the beam to the pillars and second meansfor connecting the beam to the pillars, said first connection meansbeing adapted to provide a coupling at least of the hinge type betweeneach one of the two end regions of the beam and the correspondingpillar, said second connection means comprising at least one tensionelement that passes through the beam and is connected to the pillars bymeans of ends thereof that protrude from the beam.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention willbecome better apparent from the description of a preferred but notexclusive embodiment of the device according to the invention,illustrated by way of nonlimitative example in the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

[0020]FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view, taken along a verticalplane, of the connection of a beam to two pillars with the deviceaccording to the invention, in a first embodiment;

[0021]FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view, taken along a verticalplane, of the connection of a beam to two pillars with the deviceaccording to the invention, in a second embodiment;

[0022]FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view, taken along a verticalplane, of the connection of a beam to two pillars with the deviceaccording to the invention, in a third embodiment;

[0023]FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view, taken along a verticalplane, of the connection of a beam to two pillars with the deviceaccording to the invention, in a fourth embodiment;

[0024]FIG. 5 is a sectional view, taken along a vertical plane, of theconnection between a beam and a pillar provided by means of the deviceaccording to the invention;

[0025]FIG. 6 is an enlarged-scale sectional view of a detail of FIG. 5,taken along a different sectional plane;

[0026]FIG. 7 is a view of the same detail of FIG. 6, with the connectionbetween the beam and the pillar completed by means of an additionalcast;

[0027]FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of the parts of the deviceaccording to the invention, in the first embodiment, to be embedded in alongitudinal end of the beam and in a pillar;

[0028]FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the parts of the device shown in FIG.8;

[0029]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the same parts of the deviceshown in FIGS. 8 and 9, with the beam and the pillar shown in phantomlines.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0030] With reference to the figures, the device according to theinvention, in its various embodiments, comprises first means 10 forconnecting the two end regions 1 a of a beam 1 to the pillars 2 thatmust support the beam 1, and second means 30 for connecting the beam 1to the pillars 2.

[0031] The first connection means 10 are constituted by connection meansthat ensure a coupling at least of the hinge type between each one ofthe two longitudinal ends of the beam 1 and the corresponding pillar 2,and the second connection means 30 comprise at least one tension element31 that passes through the beam 1 and is connected to the pillars 2 bymeans of its ends that protrude from the beam 1.

[0032] The device according to the invention further comprises means fortensioning to the desired extent the tension element or elements 31 soas to preload the beam 1, as will become better apparent hereinafter.

[0033] Conveniently, the regions for the passage of the tension elements31 in the beam 1 and the regions for the coupling of the tensionelements 31 to the pillars 2 are arranged so that the portion of thetension elements 31 that lies between the beam 1 and the pillars 2 canbe easily embedded within the thickness of the slab 3 or other concretecomponent cast on the beam 1 or otherwise embedded in the floor 4, sothat the tension elements 31 are perfectly concealed at the end of theconstruction work.

[0034] For the sake of simplicity in description, the first connectionmeans 10 and the second connection means 30 are described with referenceto the connection of a longitudinal end of the beam 1 to a pillar 2,without altering the fact that the other longitudinal end of the beam 1is connected to the other pillar 2 that supports it by similarconnection means.

[0035] The first connection means 10 comprise at least one cavity 11that is formed in a body of the pillar 2 and is open on the side of thepillar 2 that is directed toward the beam 1. Preferably, two cavities 11are provided in the body of the pillar 2 for each one of thelongitudinal ends of the beam 1 to be supported; said cavities arespaced horizontally one with respect to another, i.e., transversely tothe longitudinal extension of the beam 1 to be supported. Each one ofthe cavities 11 accommodates a bracket 12, which protrudes from the sideof the pillar 2 that is directed toward the beam 1 and is fixed to theend region 1 a of the beam 1.

[0036] Each cavity 11 is formed by a box-like body 13, which is embeddedin the concrete casting that constitutes the pillar 2 during itsproduction.

[0037] The box-like body 13 can be constituted for example by a tubularsteel body that is open at one of its ends, which is arranged flush withthe side of the pillar 2 that is designed to be directed toward the beam1. If, as preferred, there are two cavities 11 for each one of thelongitudinal ends of the beam 1 to be supported, the two tubular bodiesthat form the cavities 11 can be fixed beforehand, for example bywelding, to a steel L-shaped element 14, which is also embedded in thebody of the pillar 2.

[0038] Each bracket 12 also can be constituted by a steel component thatis inserted in the corresponding cavity 11 so as to protrude with one ofits ends from the side of the pillar 2 that is directed toward the beam1. Such end of the bracket 12 forms a support for the end region 1 a ofthe beam 1, and is rigidly fixed to the beam 1 in order to provide aconnection at least of the hinge type, and preferably of theinterlocking type, between the beam 1 and the pillar 2.

[0039] Each bracket 12 can be constituted by a steel insert with atransverse cross-section that is complementary to the cross-section ofthe corresponding cavity 11 and is preferably rectangular or square,tubular or solid.

[0040] If, as preferred, there are two brackets 12 for each one of thelongitudinal ends of the beam 1, said two brackets can be optionallyfixed, for example by welding, to a connecting plate 12 a.

[0041] Optionally, the cavities 11 and the brackets 12 can be inclinedupward toward the beam 1 in order to achieve higher stability in theresting of the beam 1 on the brackets 12. In practice, the brackets 12form two supporting regions for each longitudinal end of the beam 1, andthe supporting regions are spaced horizontally one another, transverselyto the longitudinal extension of the beam 1, so as to achieve greaterresistance of the beam to torque stresses about its longitudinal axis.

[0042] The bracket or brackets 12 are fixed to the beam 1 preferably bybolting.

[0043] More particularly, the end la of the beam 1 is preferablyprovided by means of a contoured box-like structure 15, made for exampleof steel, which is monolithically anchored in the concrete casting thatconstitutes the beam 1 and forms, on the lower side of the end 1 a ofthe beam 1, a recess 16 for each one of the brackets 12.

[0044] In the box-like structure 15, at each one of the recesses 16,there is at least one hole 17, preferably of the slotted type, which isdesigned to be aligned with a corresponding hole 18 provided in thecorresponding bracket 12 and to be used in order to bolt thecorresponding end 1 a of the beam 1 to the bracket or brackets 12 bymeans of bolts 20.

[0045] The second connection means 30, depending on the width of thebeam 1 and on the stresses that such beam must withstand, may beconstituted by one or more tension elements 31.

[0046] Each tension element 31 protrudes, with its longitudinal end,from the beam 1 proximate to the longitudinal ends 1 a thereof.

[0047] Each tension element 31 passes with play through a passage 32that is formed in the body of the beam 2 and is curved or shaped like abroken line in which the cavity is directed upward. The extrados of thepassage 32, starting from the longitudinal ends of the beam 1 andadvancing toward the intermediate region of the longitudinal extensionof the beam 1, gradually moves closer to the lower side of said beam 1.

[0048] The passage 32 can be formed by at least one tubular body 34,which is embedded in the body of the beam 1 and has inlets at the upperside of the beam 1 proximate to the longitudinal ends 1 a of said beam.

[0049] The tubular body 34 can be constituted by a tubular body made ofsteel which is substantially rigid, or by a flexible tubular body thatis knurled on its outer surface so as to firmly anchor to the concretecasting that constitutes the body of the beam 1 and transmit thereto thestresses to which it is subjected.

[0050] It should be noted that the tubular body 34 that forms thepassage 32 increases the frame 51 of the beam 1 and can be optionallyconnected to said frame 51.

[0051] It is optionally possible to arrange multiple tension elements 31inside a same passage 32.

[0052] The tubular body 34 can be formed monolithically or can beconstituted by multiple tubular segments that are connected one anotherby welding or by other known kinds of connection means, as shown inparticular in FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0053] The tension element 31 can be constituted by a steel bar or by acable element.

[0054] The tension element 31 also can be formed monolithically or canbe composed of multiple segments that are connected one another, forexample by welding or by other known kinds of connection means.

[0055] If the tension element 31 is provided by connecting multiplesegments, said segments may be partly rigid and partly flexible.

[0056] Optionally, the tubular body 34 can also be fixed, for example bywelding, to the box-like structure 15.

[0057] The tension element 31 is connected, by its ends that protrudefrom the beam 1, to the pillars 2 above the connection regions formed bythe first connection means 10, i.e., above the regions where the beam 1rests on the brackets 12.

[0058] If the building to be erected is required to have a particularearthquake resistance, it is also possible to provide at least oneauxiliary tension element 31 a that passes with play through at leastone auxiliary passage formed within the beam and is curved or shapedlike a broken line in which the cavity is directed downward, as shown inFIG. 4. The extrados of the auxiliary passage, starting from thelongitudinal ends 1 a of the beam 1 and advancing toward theintermediate region of the longitudinal extension of the beam 1, movesgradually closer to the upper side of the beam 1.

[0059] The auxiliary tension element 31 a is connected, by means of itsends that protrude from the beam 1 proximate to the longitudinal ends 1a thereof, to the pillars 2 below the connection regions formed by thefirst connection means 10, i.e., below the regions where the beam 1rests on the brackets 12.

[0060] The passage for the auxiliary tension element 31 a also can beformed by a tubular body 34 a that is embedded in the body of the beam1.

[0061] The number of auxiliary tension elements 31 a can vary accordingto the strength that the beam 1 is required to have.

[0062] The auxiliary tension elements 31 a, like the tubular bodies 34 athat form the auxiliary passages, can be provided substantially asalready described with reference to the tension elements 31 and to thetubular bodies 34 except for the arrangement, which for the auxiliarytension elements 31 a and the corresponding tubular bodies 34 a providesfor a downward-facing concavity.

[0063] The tension elements 31 are connected to the pillars 2 so as toallow tensioning of the tension elements 31.

[0064] More particularly, in each pillar 2, in a region located abovethe supporting surface formed by the brackets 12, there is a passage 33for each tension element 31, so as to arrange the coupling region of thetension element 31 proximate to the side of the pillar 2 that liesopposite the side directed toward the beam 1.

[0065] The passage 33 is formed by an additional tubular body 46,preferably made of steel, which is embedded within the pillar 2 duringits manufacture.

[0066] The tubular body 46 has an end that is flush with the side of thepillar 2 that is directed toward the beam 1 and another end that isflush with the side of the pillar 2 that lies opposite with respect tothe beam 1. The tubular body 46 has, proximate to this end, a largerdiameter so as to form an abutment for a nut 47 that is screwed onto theappropriately threaded end portion of the tension element 31 in order tofix the tension element 31 to the pillar 2 and allow the tensioning ofthe tension element 31. As an alternative, instead of threading the endof the tension element 31, it possible to use a particular ribbing ofthe tension element 31 as a thread for the nut 47.

[0067] An end plate 48 can be welded where the diameter of the tubularbody 46 changes, inside said tubular body 46, and is crossed by a hole49 in order to allow the passage of the tension element 31.

[0068] Optionally, the tubular body 46 can be rigidly connected to thebox-like body or bodies 13, for example by means of a bar to which it iswelded.

[0069] The tubular body 46 and the box-like bodies 13 thus constitute amonolithic structure to be embedded in the pillar 2, achieving goodprecision in the arrangement of the tubular body 46 with respect to thecavity 11 for the bracket 12, thus facilitating the mutual assembly ofthe beam 1 and the pillar 2 and the insertion of the tension element 31in the pillar 2 and in the beam 1.

[0070] If the pillar 2 is required to support beams 1 on its twoopposite sides or in any case on two or more sides, multiple tubularbodies 46 are embedded in the body of the pillar 2 and are variouslyorientated in order to receive the various tension elements 31 that passthrough the various beams 1 supported by the pillar 2, and variousbox-like bodies 13 for brackets 12, according to the requirements, arealso embedded.

[0071] The connection of the auxiliary tension elements 31 a to thepillars 2 can be provided in a manner similar to the one described withreference to the tension elements 31.

[0072] The first connection means 10, in addition to the substantiallyhorizontal support formed by the brackets 12 and by the correspondingrecesses 16 of the box-like structure 15 provided on the lower side ofthe beam 1 at its longitudinal ends, can be completed by an additionalcast 38 between each longitudinal end 1 a of the beam 1 and thecorresponding pillar 2, so as to eliminate the play between the beam andthe pillar, as shown in FIG. 7.

[0073] As an alternative, such plays can be eliminated by means of anadjustable supporting element 60, which is connected to each one of thelongitudinal ends 1 a of the beam 1, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

[0074] More particularly, the adjustable support 60 can be constitutedby a screw element 61 that mates with a threaded seat 62 that is formedcorrespondingly in a bush 63 that is embedded in the body of the beam 1proximate to each one of its longitudinal ends. The bush 63 can beoptionally connected to the box-like structure 15 by welding.

[0075] The seat 62 is open on the side of the beam 1 that is designed tobe directed toward the pillar 2 so as to receive the screw element 61,which as a consequence of its screwing or unscrewing in the seat 62, canprotrude by the desired extent from the longitudinal end 1 a of the beam1 so as to rest against the side of the pillar 2 that is directed towardsaid beam 1. Substantially, by screwing or unscrewing the screw element61 after resting the beam on the brackets 12 it is possible to eliminatethe play between the ends 1 a of the beam 1 and the pillar 2.

[0076] It should be noted that the beam 1 can also be constituted by apre-stressed beam.

[0077] The assembly of the device according to the invention is asfollows.

[0078] The beam 1 is rested on the brackets 12 that protrude from thetwo pillars 2 that must support the beam 1 and is fixed to them bybolting, as described, providing two couplings at least of the hingetype and preferably of the interlocking type between the ends 1 a of thebeam 1 and the pillars 2. The play between the ends 1 a of the beam 1and the pillars 2 is then eliminated by means of an additional cast 38or by unscrewing the screw element 61. The tension elements 31 are theninserted through the corresponding tubular bodies 46 and 34 and the nuts47 are tightened. The tightening of the nuts 47 on the tension elements31 tensions the tension elements 31, pre-loading the beam 1 upward,achieving an effect that is similar to pre-stressing, and thereforegiving the beam 1 higher resistance to the loads that it will berequired to support. In this manner it is possible to provide beams 1which, with an equal load strength with respect to beams that are simplyrested on the pillars 2, can be significantly lower, with a uniformdistribution of the stresses on the beam 1 thanks to the fact that thetension elements 31 pass through the entire beam 1.

[0079] If the auxiliary tension elements 31 a are provided, they too areinserted and tensioned, in a manner similar to what has been describedwith reference to the tension elements 31.

[0080] The device according to the invention therefore maintains thesame advantages as the device disclosed in U.S. Ser. No. 09/669,970,further achieving more uniform distribution of stresses inside the beam1.

[0081] In practice it has been found that the device according to theinvention fully achieves the intended aim, since by allowing to reducethe height of the beam it allows to use prefabricated concretecomponents also in sectors in which up to now the prefabrication methodhas been applied to a minimal extent, further achieving uniformdistribution of the stresses inside the entire beam and activating aninnovative static layout.

[0082] Another advantage of the device according to the invention isthat it achieves high earthquake safety even during construction.

[0083] The device thus conceived is susceptible of numerousmodifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of theappended claims; all the details may further be replaced with othertechnically equivalent elements.

[0084] In the examples of embodiment cited above, individualcharacteristics, given in relation to specific examples, may actually beinterchanged with other different characteristics that exist in otherexamples of embodiments.

[0085] Moreover, it is noted that anything found to be already knownduring the patenting process is understood not to be claimed and to bedeleted, from the claims.

[0086] In practice, the materials used, as well as the dimensions, maybe any according to requirements and to the state of the art.

[0087] The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. MI2002A002119from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein byreference.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for connecting a beam to pillars orsimilar supporting structural elements in order to erect buildings,particularly multistory buildings, by means of prefabricated concretecomponents, comprising first means for connecting two end regions of thebeam to the pillars and second means for connecting the beam to thepillars, said first connection means being adapted to provide a couplingat least of the hinge type between each one of the two end regions ofthe beam and the corresponding pillar, said second connection meanscomprising at least one tension element that passes through the beam andis connected to the pillars by means of ends thereof that protrude fromthe beam.
 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein said at least onetension element passes with play through a passage formed in the beam.3. The device according to claim 2, wherein said passage is formed by atleast one tubular body that is embedded in the body of the beam.
 4. Thedevice according to claim 1, wherein said at least one tension elementprotrudes with ends thereof from the beam proximate to the end regionsof the beam.
 5. The device according to claim 2, wherein said passage iscurved or shaped like a broken line in which the concavity is directedupward.
 6. The device according to claim 2, wherein multiple tensionelements are arranged inside said passage.
 7. The device according toclaim 3, wherein said tubular body is substantially rigid.
 8. The deviceaccording to claim 3, wherein said tubular body is flexible.
 9. Thedevice according to claim 3, wherein said tension element is constitutedby a bar or the like.
 10. The device according to claim 3, wherein saidtension element is constituted by a cable element.
 11. The deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein said beam is a beam of the pre-stressedtype.
 12. The device according to claim 1, wherein said tension elementis formed monolithically.
 13. The device according to claim 1, whereinsaid tension element is composed of multiple segments that are connectedone another.
 14. The device according to claim 13, wherein said segmentsare partly rigid and partly flexible.
 15. The device according to claim1, wherein said at least one tension element is connected, by means ofthe end thereof that protrudes from the beam, to the pillars above theconnection regions formed by said first connection means.
 16. The deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein said at least one tension elementcomprises an auxiliary tension element that passes with play through atleast one auxiliary passage that is formed within the beam and is curvedor shaped like a broken line in which the concavity is directeddownward, said auxiliary tension element being connected, by means ofends thereof that protrude from the beam proximate to the longitudinalends thereof, to the pillars below the connection regions formed by saidfirst connection means.
 17. The device according to claim 1, whereinsaid first connection means comprise, for each end region of the beam,two regions for connecting the beam to the corresponding pillar, saidtwo connection regions being spaced one another horizontallytransversely to the longitudinal extension of the beam.
 18. The deviceaccording to claim 17, wherein said first connection means comprise, foreach one of said connection regions, a cavity that is formed in the bodyof the corresponding pillar and is open on the side of said pillar thatis directed toward the beam, said cavity accommodating a bracket thatprotrudes from said side of the pillar and is fixed to said beam. 19.The device according to claim 18, wherein said cavity is formed by abox-like body that is embedded in said pillar.
 20. The device accordingto claim 18, wherein said bracket protrudes from said side of the pillarand forms a support for an end region of said beam, said bracket beingfixed to said beam with a coupling at least of the hinge type.
 21. Thedevice according to claim 18, wherein said cavity and said bracket areinclined upward toward said beam.
 22. The device according to claim 18,wherein said bracket is fixed to said beam by bolting.
 23. The deviceaccording to claim 2, wherein said passage, starting from the endregions of the beam toward an intermediate region of the longitudinalextension of the beam, gradually approaches the lower side of the beam.24. The device according to claim 16, wherein said auxiliary passage,starting from the end regions of the beam toward an intermediate regionof the longitudinal extension of the beam, gradually approaches theupper side of the beam.
 25. The device according to claim 16, wherein insaid pillar there is a passage for said tension element and/or saidauxiliary tension element that connects said beam to said pillar. 26.The device according to claim 25, wherein in said pillar said passagesfor said tension element and/or said auxiliary tension element areformed by at least one tubular body that is embedded in said pillar. 27.The device according to claim 16, further comprising means fortensioning said at least one tension element and/or said at least oneauxiliary tension element.
 28. The device according to claim 16, whereinsaid at least one tension element and/or said at least one auxiliarytension element have ends constituted by threaded portions that engagerespective nuts that abut against the corresponding pillar and can betightened in order to tension said element and/or said auxiliary tensionelement.
 29. The device according to claim 19, wherein said box-likebody and said tubular body embedded in the body of the pillar arerigidly connected to each other.
 30. The device according to claim 16,wherein the tubular body or the auxiliary tubular body embedded in saidbeam for the passage of said tension element and/or of said auxiliarytension element is connected to the reinforcement frame of the beam. 31.The device according to claim 18, wherein said beam has a lower recessfor supporting said bracket at an end thereof that is designed to bedirected toward said pillar.